Japan’s NTT DoCoMo releases summer 2013 device portfolio including Sony Xperia A

by Jeff Causey on
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Japanese telecom giant NTT DoCoMo has revealed their portfolio of devices for the summer months which includes a new Sony Xperia A device. The Japanese version seems to be a bit different from the device carrying the same name that recently slid through the FCC on its way to U.S. carriers. The Japanese version sports a 4.6-inch screen, 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro chip, and runs Android 4.1. This seems to put it as more of a mid-tier device whereas the U.S. version mirrors the top-tier Sony Xperia Z, only with a removable battery.

In addition to the Xperia A, NTT DoCoMo is also adding Sharp’s Aquos Phone Zeta and Aquos Pad, two devices that incorporate new, thinner displays. The Zeta device comes with a 4.8-inch full HD screen while the Aquos Pad is a 7-inch tablet that is approaching a full HD display resolution. Other manufacturers got their devices added to the portfolio, like the Panasonic Eluga and the 5.2-inch Fujitsu Arrows NX. All of these devices from Sharp, Panasonic and Fujitsu will come with Android 4.2.

source: NTT DoCoMo
via: phoneArena

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for May 6 – May 12, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. Google I/O is next week and we have the full scoop on the new and improved Nexus 7. Rumors say the Motorola X phone is scrapped for the time being, but a recent FCC filing seems to indicate it might actually be sooner rather than later. We weren’t expecting to see it announced next week, but could we get a surprise? Google Babel is expected to be unveiled under the “Hangouts” name, and recent developments support that Google will unveil an updated Nexus 4 with LTE.  Lastly, Google will unveil cloud sync gaming with Play Games. There were a lot of new apps, including a couple of reviews as well. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

How to remove apps from the Google Play Store ‘My Apps’ list

How to make a Drama Shot or Sequence Shot on the HTC One

Reviews

Boulder Dash XL [Brain & Puzzle]

» Read the rest

FCC filing mentions Motorola XT1058, could be the XFON for AT&T

by Aditya Thawardas on
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We’ve been seeing X Phone rumors everywhere recently, including leaked pictures of a potential device last week. Today we have some concrete information to share. A new FCC filing mentions the Motorola XT1058 with specs including Bluetooth 4.0, NFC capabilities, 802.11ac WiFi, and LTE bands compatible with AT&T. The picture in the filing, posted above, looks awfully similar to last week’s leaked photos of the XFON for AT&T. After releasing their latest DROID RAZRs for Verizon, this filing suggests that Motorola could be releasing their first AT&T phone since last year’s Atrix HD.

If the model number XT1058 looks familiar, it’s because last week we showed you information suggesting an XT1055. Two model numbers so similar further supports Motorola advisor Guy Kawasaki’s comments regarding personalization of phone hardware. Considering an FCC filing, the X Phone could be unveiled in the near future. Stay tuned to Talk Android as we learn more.

source: FCC
via: Phone Scoop

5-inch Sony Xperia A drops by the FCC with a removable battery

by Jared Peters on
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2013 is shaping up to be a great year for Sony’s mobile division. The Xperia A has slid through the FCC, and it appears to be a cousin of the Xperia Z, except for one key difference; a removable battery. Aside from that, the rest of the device looks the same, including the five inch screen and the sturdy power button, as well as most of the internal specs, including the 13 megapixel shooter and 16 GB internal storage. It’s obviously a bit thicker to allow that removable battery, but close enough. One thing that wasn’t mentioned, however, was the processor. I’d be a little surprised to see Sony launch a flagship variant like this with the Xperia Z’s S4 Pro, especially if they’re trying to compete with Samsung, HTC, and LG. Regardless, as soon as anything shows up on the radar, we’ll be sure to let you know.

source: FCC

via: Engadget

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 8, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Reviews

Boulder Dash XL [Brain & Puzzle]

Apps

Rovio updates Bad Piggies with 15 new levels, 2 new items

WeatherBug gets a new update that brings redesigned user interface, hourly forecasts, and more

Google Earth for Android receives update, adds Street View

Google I/O Android app updated with new features for 2013

Carriers

AT&T adds more LTE markets, on pace to reach 250 million Americans by end of year

T-Mobile revenues dip, but customer base growing

Verizon offering “Red Hot Deal Days” until May 12 on select devices for Mother’s Day

Google Glass

Google Glass sensors revealed, expect a lot of augmented reality apps soon

Phones

AT&T offers the HTC First smartphone for under a buck

ImaGination Begins on May 30 at LG event

New color of the DROID RAZR M and DROID RAZR HD on the way to Verizon stores

Release dates for Galaxy Mega, Galaxy S 4 Mini, Galaxy S 4 Zoom, and Galaxy S 4 Activ Leaked

Sharp unveils AQUOS Phone Xx SoftBank 206SH with 5-inch 1080p CG-Silicon display and two-days of battery life

5-inch Sony Xperia A drops by the FCC with a removable battery

Vivo announces high-end, pricey phablet coming in late May

ROMs

Release candidates for CyanogenMod 10.1.0 start making their way to select devices

Updates

New build of Sense 5.1 surfaces for HTC Butterfly smartphone, tries to give a little taste of Android 4.2.2 in the process

Miscellaneous

Ouya console gets high ratings from iFixit, easily disassembled and repaired

Apple wants source code records in Samsung trial and looks in Google’s direction in the process

Samsung sitting on over $28 billion in cash at the end of March

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 29 – May 5, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. We finally published our review of the Galaxy S 4, and although the bootloader is locked on many variants, a solution is eminent. Probably the biggest story that didn’t get that much attention was the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S 4 was approved by the U.S. Department of Defense based on Samsung’s security suite called KNOX. This is only going to strengthen Samsung’s mobile market share dominance. Google Glass news was a plenty, and we saw what appears to be a real leak of the Motorola XFON. Lastly, will Paranoid Android be the ROM of choice with their new Halo notifications? It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Guides

Best Android camera apps [April 2013]

How to use S Translator and the Optical Reader on the Samsung Galaxy S 4

Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Review: The smartest smartphone ever

Live Pixels [Live Wallpaper]

Dinamotxt [Communication]

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Daily Dose for May 1, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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With hectic schedules, it can be hard to keep track of everything in your news feed. That’s why we created the TalkAndroid Daily Dose. This is where we recap the day’s hottest stories so you can get yourself up to speed in quick fashion. Happy reading!!

Reviews

Samsung Galaxy S 4 Review: The smartest smartphone ever

Apps

HTC ditching HTC Watch support in 6 countries on May 31

EA Brings iOS Hit Monopoly Hotels to Google Play, Lowers Price of Need For Speed: Most Wanted to $0.99

T-Mobile offers MLB.com At Bat 2013 for free through June 30th

Ingress players level 2 and up begin receiving extra invitation codes

Cameras

Samsung quietly working on the EK-GN120, a Galaxy Camera that’s also identified as a mobile phone

» Read the rest

T-Mobile Sony Xperia Z with LTE passes through FCC

by Harrison Kaminsky on
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T-Mobile’s version of the Sony Xperia Z seems to have passed through the FCC according to multiple documents and pictures.  Internal and external pictures are included, as well as a detailed user manual which gives away the model, carrier association, and also points out that the phone will feature WiFi calling.  The documents show that there will be an inclusion of AWS LTE (band 4) and pentaband HSPA+.

It won’t be long before T-Mobile officially announces the phone’s release to the public.

Check the pictures and documents out for yourself at the source link below.

Source: FCC
Via: Engadget

T-Mobile/MetroPCS merger is complete, new company now known as T-Mobile US

by Roy Alugbue on
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T-Mobile MetroPCS Merger

 

At last, the T-Mobile/MetroPCS marriage is officially complete. After seeing a few signs that the merger was closer to being finalized, Deutsche Telekom AG and T-Mobile US, Inc. announced the newly-formed T-Mobile USA entity— which officially began public trading under the NYSE ticker TMUS as of today. With the new company fully established, Deutsche Telekom AG will effectively hold a majority stake in the company (at 74%), while the combined subscriber base grows to over 40 million. Additionally, the completed merger also expands the total 4G footprint as 228 million are currently served with 4G, with an additional 200 million expected to be covered with 4G LTE by the end of 2013.

You’ll find more details once you hit the break and check out the full presser.

» Read the rest

TalkAndroid Weekly Recap for April 22 – April 28, 2013

by Robert Nazarian on
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We had another busy week at TalkAndroid so here’s a recap of all the top stories. We finally published our review of the HTC One and the Galaxy S 4 review is coming very soon. Meanwhile we published a slew of GS4 guides to help you with all those new features that Samsung introduced with their latest and greatest phone. We had tons of Google Glass news, and it appears Google might not introduce Key Lime Pie at Google I/O afterwall. Finally, we posted a couple of app reviews. It’s time to get caught up and get ready for another exciting week.

Contests

Contest: Win 1 of 10 tickets to Lookout’s Annual Kickoff party at Google I/O

Guides

How to set up and use HTC TV and the IR blaster on the HTC One

Samsung Galaxy S 4 initial setup and changes to TouchWiz

How to set up and use Air View and Air Gestures on the Samsung Galaxy S 4

How to set up and use Smart Pause and Smart Scroll on the Samsung Galaxy S 4

For the beginner: How to set the Galaxy S 4 to Easy Mode

Samsung Galaxy 4 camera overview and how to use the Dual Camera function

How to take a Drama Shot and Erase unwanted objects with the Samsung Galaxy S 4 camera

How to make Animated GIFs and add sound to pictures on the Galaxy S 4

How to set up and use WatchON along with the IR blaster on the Samsung Galaxy S 4

How to create and share a Story Album on the Galaxy S 4

Reviews

HTC One review: The best phone on the planet, but is it good enough?

Blood Runner [Arcade & Action]

» Read the rest